A new era dawned for the Sweetwater High School football program last Friday. New head coach Brian Hay is hoping his team’s 42-0 non-league victory against La Jolla Country Day is the first of many in his career as a Red Devil.

“It was great to start the season out with such a big win,” Hay said. “I’m proud of my kids and God bless a great coaching staff.”

The Devils made their season debut with the double wing offense — Hay and his staff’s specialty at Mar Vista High School.

And it was a successful debut as Sweetwater running backs amassed 385 yards in rushing offense compared to just 15 yards in passing offense.

The Devil offense produced five rushing touchdowns — two by junior Andrew Wright and one each by juniors Raven Middleton and Antonio Garcia and senior Jaylon Davis.

Ten players had at least one carry, with Middleton amassing 132 yards on 10 attempts, followed by Davis with 73 yards on 10 carries and Garcia with 50 yards on 12 attempts.

Garcia also had one catch for 15 yards and a score to also give him two TDs in the game. It was the only pass completion in two attempts for quarterback Christian Amon.

Middleton, who scored on a 71-yard romp, also keyed the SuHi defense with seven tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.Overall, the Devils collected four sacks, recovered four fumbles and had one interception (Davis) in lowering the guillotine on the Torreys, who advanced as far as last year’s San Diego Section Division V quarterfinals.

Davis, Garcia and Angel Reyes each scored on a two-point conversion to round out an all-around effort by the National City team.

Sweetwater, which wore down LJCD with its superior numbers combined with the muggy weather, will now prepare for its annual Legacy of Pride encounter against west side arch rival Chula Vista to be played Friday at Chula Vista High School.

This will be the 67th meeting between the schools — the county’s longest continuous rivalry contest. The Devils lead the overall series 36-27-3.

The Spartans have won the last seven meetings, but it appears Sweetwater could be poised to make a statement this year.

Certainly, the Devils will find out how they measure up to what has perennially been an upper division program at the Division I level in the guise of the Spartans, who are coming off the short end of a 41-14 non-league loss at Steele Canyon last Friday.

CV quarterback Hunter Gotto scored his first varsity touchdown to give Chula Vista an early lead by directing a 74-yard scoring march down field. But the host Cougars clawed their way back in the game and eventually sprinted away by taking advantage of Spartan miscues, including three turnovers.

CVHS coach Judd Rachow notes his team remains on the “young” side and must adjust quickly to varsity-level football. Thus, much will be answered on the Spartans’ part as well in Friday’s rivalry clash against the Devils.